PARIS, March 20, (V7N) — Paris Saint‑Germain’s emphatic Champions League win over Chelsea suggests the holders are rediscovering the form that carried them to European glory last season — but their domestic motivation appears far less convincing.

Luis Enrique’s side swept Chelsea aside 3–0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to complete an 8–2 aggregate victory and book a quarter‑final meeting with Liverpool. PSG beat the English club on penalties at the same stage a year ago and will not fear a rematch, with the first leg in Paris on April 8 and the return six days later.

The concern for PSG is whether their European ambitions will overshadow the Ligue 1 title race, where Lens remain within striking distance.
Domestic wobble

PSG are chasing a 12th French title in 14 seasons and a fifth in a row — a run that would be the longest since Lyon’s seven straight crowns from 2002 to 2008.

“We are very demanding, and we are having a very good season,” Luis Enrique said. “This is a special group of players and it is a real pleasure to coach them.”

But repeating last season’s clean sweep has proved difficult. Injuries have disrupted the squad, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé featuring only sporadically, while several players have one eye on the looming World Cup.

PSG’s last Ligue 1 outing ended in a 3–1 home defeat to Monaco, and last weekend’s match against Nantes was postponed to aid their Champions League preparations. Lens briefly had the chance to go top but lost 2–1 at Lorient, leaving them one point behind PSG having played a game more.
Nice in trouble

Nice have beaten PSG in each of the past two seasons, but Claude Puel’s side now sit just above the relegation zone. They have won only two of their last 16 league matches, and with owners Ineos and Jim Ratcliffe focused on Manchester United, the club’s long‑term direction appears uncertain.

“It is always interesting to play the best team in Europe and see how we measure up,” Puel said. But Nice’s main remaining target may be their French Cup semi‑final against Strasbourg next month.
Player to watch: Folarin Balogun

The 24‑year‑old USA striker is in outstanding form, scoring six goals in his last six matches across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
The former Arsenal forward has 14 goals in all competitions this season and is central to Monaco’s push for Champions League qualification — as well as staking his claim to lead the line for World Cup co‑hosts USA.
Key stats

2 — Nice and Monaco are the only teams to beat PSG twice in Ligue 1 since Luis Enrique took charge in 2023

5 — Monaco have won their last five league games and are unbeaten in eight

73 — Vahid Halilhodžić will become the oldest coach in Ligue 1 history (73 years, 158 days) when Nantes face Strasbourg

Fixtures (GMT)

Friday
Lens v Angers (19:45)

Saturday
Toulouse v Lorient (16:00)
Auxerre v Brest (18:00)
Nice v Paris Saint‑Germain (20:00)

Sunday
Lyon v Monaco (14:00)
Marseille v Lille (16:15)
Paris FC v Le Havre (16:15)
Rennes v Metz (16:15)
Nantes v Strasbourg (19:45)

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